Wisconsin artists Christopher Sweet and Scott Hill have been selected as the featured artists at a show titled “The Art of Huuc Co & Wakatatlihuni” in the Dr. Robert Powless Cultural Center (202 W. 2nd Street, Duluth, MN). The exhibit, which opened on August 9th, features a variety of paintings and some sculptural work by the artists. Their work is diverse and colorful, playing on different themes from their cultural heritage in contemporary mediums.

Christopher Sweet’s Ho-Chunk name is Huuc Co pronounced (Hoonch-Cho) meaning Blue Bear. He and his family reside in the south central area of Wisconsin. Sweet attended the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico and his specialty is acrylic painting. In recent years, he’s explored methods of adding texture to his work. He states that creating art has helped him focus on the important things in his life which include family, unity & healthy ways. He has a quiet nature and sometimes has trouble expressing himself, but art eases that challenge, letting his different moods, thoughts & feelings take shape on the canvas.

Says Sweet, “My mind is always trying to find the right path in a painting, so when I begin a process there are sometimes a few other paintings underneath the completed piece of work. It can be a long journey but it is always a therapeutic experience.”Facebook page:C Sweet Native ArtEmail: Csweetnativeart@gmail.com

Scott Hill (Wakatatlihuni) is an Oneida artist, born and raised on the Oneida Reservation in Wisconsin. He was given the Wakatatlihuni, which translates to “he teaches himself”. The name fits his persona - as Wakatatlihuni, he is self-taught, not only in art, but across life’s spectrums. Scott has been practicing art for over 25 years in his studio/gallery, located in Oneida, creating work across mediums including pencil, clay, paint, stone sculpture, fabric arts and more.

On July 11th, featured artists Jonathan Thunder and Zamara Cuyún of the Long Night of the Floating Shell exhibit held an intimate and enlightening artist talk in the Dr. Robert Powless Cultural Center. The artists shared a personal look into their creative process and lives, comparing and contrasting their experiences as Indigenous artists, both from Minnesota and using art to explore their different ancestral histories. They then took questions from the audience, describing the creation of specific artworks in the gallery and sharing even more intimate details.The two artists met through Moira Villiard, Cultural Arts Coordinator at AICHO and curator of the exhibit. Moira explained her method: choosing an artist very familiar to AICHO and an artist with whom we have had somewhat less contact. In this case, Thunder has been a significant contributor to multiple AICHO events; meanwhile, Cuyún became affiliated with the galleries through her participation in the recent Phenomenal exhibit, the first art show designed specifically for women of color in Duluth. Thunder and Cuyún’s work is different, but certain similarities in style and motifs tie the exhibit together. Stylistically, both artists employ a "dark to light" aesthetic, building off of silhouettes to construct their final imagery. Both artists are exploring their cultural roots through their art, and this manifests in their joint title for the exhibit. Zamara referenced the hundreds of years of colonial oppression and genocide, both physical and cultural, that Indigenous communities have faced in both North and South America as the “Long Night,” and Jonathan added the “Floating Shell” as a reference to the floating Megis shell that guided the Anishinaabe to this land.

The joint exploration of cultural identity is prevalent in the exhibit as a whole, which is partly what makes it such an intimate and personal one. “My work is always focused very much on my history, my thoughts, and my worldview,” said Zamara. "Telling those stories that don’t often get told in our mainstream society.” She makes telling the stories of women a priority, as her art is full of themes of women’s empowerment. In response to an audience member who asked her reasoning for using such heavy lines and contrast in her work, she described a desire to depict the feminine as also bold and carrying weight as opposed to delicate and fragile. According to Zamara, she saw very few works focused on women in traditional Maya art growing up, and what she did find inspired her to create more.

Jonathan Thunder’s work is also deeply personal and exploratory. “I had been working in the theme of paths to identity, paths home, paths to decolonization, and paths to strength,” he said, referencing his work in relation to the Long Night that is a focus of both his art and Zamara’s. The artwork he exhibited was a mix of both lighthearted and more surreal imagery, ranging from a teddy bear with a crown to one of his larger works - the latter depicting a child floating amidst red ceremonial ribbons, between an Indigenous elder to one side and ominous figurative symbols of colonization to the other.

Jonathan Thunder and Zamara Cuyún are both incredibly talented artists and insightful individuals. Through this exhibit they have outlined similarities between Anishinaabe and Maya Indigenous experiences, explored their identities, and brought forward their own thought-provoking conceptions of what home means to them. We’re so grateful to have their exhibit in the Dr. Robert Powless Cultural Center and hope to host them both again in the future. The full video of their conversation can be found HERE.

Language Camp: On June 17 AICHO staff, housing families, an AICHO Board Member and our Ojibwe Language Table Instructor all attended and participated in the 11th Annual Kiwenz Ojibwe Language Camp in Sawyer, MN on the Fond du Lac Ojibwe Reservation. Activities included moccasin making, beading, drum stick making, doll making, canoe races, horse shoes, lacrosse and other Indigenous games, a talent show, language sessions, meals, a walk/run, a nature walk, and much more. It was a beautiful and cultural 3.5 days to be surrounded by Anishinaabeg culture and traditions. Everyone is already looking forward to next summer's camp. Photos by Ivy Vainio.

Trainings: AICHO recently held a Trafficking and Human Exploitation Training for AICHO staff. It was led by Dabinoo’igan Shelter Director Shannon Larson, Director of Planning Daryl Olson and Cultural Arts Coordinator/former shelter advocate Moira Villiard. We had Katie Eagle from Mending the Sacred Hoop and Mary Cowen from Safe Harbor/Life House present as well. It was very informative. There are other trainings/gatherings that will happen for staff and program participants.Did you know that $150 Billion is profited from human trafficking in the United States, and $99 Billion is from Sexual Trafficking?

Photos by Ivy Vainio

Outdoor Rooftop Yoga: AICHO has hosted several “Yoga in the Garden” sessions at Gimaajii. Miigwech to Mitra Emad for facilitating these twice a week sessions for the AICHO residents and staff.

On June 27 the Niiwin Indigenous Foods Market hosted a community pop up event with guest speakers Francois Median and Maria Defoe as well as students Michael and Nick presenting their multi-year program, Journey Gardens. Based in the Fond du Lac reservation, Journey Gardens is focused on healthy living, sustainable horticulture, and youth leadership through gardening, foraging, and greenhouse work. The presentation was informative and intriguing, and many community members attended. As per usual for community pop ups, the event was free and open to the public.

After the presentation an audience participatory activity run by the Gimaaji Youth market sold Indigenous teas to guests and presenters alike. The event supplied various other refreshments and Jakob Wilson was present to perform songs on his hand drum. The night was sponsored by Statewide Health Improvement Partnership via Minnesota Department of Health.

Last Friday AICHO introduced its new exhibit, presented in the Robert Powless Cultural Center. The Long Night of the Floating Shell was named for the shell that manifested to guide the Anishinaabe in their journey to Minnesota as well as the significance of shells in Maya culture. This exhibit, open through July 19th, evokes a sense of journey, exploring the turbulent and triumphant experiences of contemporary Indigenous artists Zamara Cuyún and Jonathan Thunder. Thunder is from the Red Lake Nation in Minnesota and Cuyún is from the Twin Cities with roots in the Maya Highlands of Guatemala, but both were able to find common ground in their Indigenous perspectives.​

Photos by Ivy Vainio.

​Cuyún's work was an empowering display, an interweaving of cultural stories from the Maya Highlands with detailed and motivating artistry that tackles modern social issues with aplomb. Cuyún has made it a priority in her art to work against some of the failings she has seen in modern education.

"It's time for us to tell our story," she said during the casual walkabout through the exhibition. Cuyún elaborated that the stories of Indigenous people worldwide have been repeatedly suppressed and rewritten throughout history and with her artwork, she aims to confront that suppression. Her art takes this mission seriously, a solemn and mature body of work that truly comes to life through the dynamic and stunning use of color throughout. This color and sense of movement is drawn from Cuyún's own personal journey, the reality of which she conveys through her work.

The work of Jonathan Thunder is also deeply personal. "I like to call them vignettes," said Thunder, stepping back and examining the canvas behind him. As he explained, his paintings are snippets of a larger story, one that has occurred around him throughout his life so far. These brief windows into a broader tapestry are painted and presented in Thunder's own vibrant style, colorful and unique in its simultaneous complexity and humor. Like Cuyún, Thunder's art is very personal, but Thunder feels that the unity of their perspectives has widened both, allowing them their own vignettes of one another's experiences. These new insights have inspired Thunder to experiment with new artistic styles and mediums, expanding his repertoire and displaying his concept sketches alongside finished work.

Both Zamara Cuyún and Jonathan Thunder are intriguing and talented artists. We have immense gratitude to them for sharing with us their unique perspectives, experiences, and art.

AICHO hosted the closing of the Exchange Exhibit on May 18th at the Dr. Robert Powless Cultural Center with an artist talk and reception. The exhibit ran from the 5th until its closing, with a focus on unifying 5 different communities from across Minnesota. The photos and videos of the exhibit span a two decade stretch and tell the stories of local communities in digital form. Forty pieces were presented, with featured artists from Red Lake, Leech Lake, Bois Forte, Saint Paul and Crookston, Minnesota. This multifaceted gallery was also a celebration of art itself, meant to encourage an appreciation for community-based arts, and the artists' stunning work represents this.

This exhibit was a part of the larger Exchange Tour, a series of exhibits and screenings dedicated to the sharing of stories and appreciation of the arts. Special thanks to In Progress, the nonprofit organization at the heart of the exhibition. More information can be found on In Progress and the Exchange Tour at http://in-progress.org.

The curators from each community are as follows:

Reyna Lussier- Red Lake Nation

Karen Norris-Barret- Red Lake Nation

Nicole Staples- Leech Lake Reservation

Christina Rodriguez- Crookston

Maria Arguelles- Crookston

Melissa Vang- Saint Paul

Katherina Vang- Saint Paul

Cecilia Martinez- Bois Forte Nation

We are grateful to all the participating artists and were glad to welcome their work to the Dr. Robert Powless Cultural Center.

At the start of May, AICHO was lucky enough to host several talented local musicians for the annual Duluth Homegrown celebration. The performances featured accomplished local bands Big Into and Big Science and talented solo artists Seyi Oyinloye and Teague Alexy, AICHO locals and guests flocked to the Robert Powless Center. A big thank you to the performers and audience members who came to the show!

See more about the bands at: Big Science:https://www.facebook.com/bigscienceduluth/photos/rpp.488700777945534/1288917157923888/?type=3&theaterBig Into:https://www.facebook.com/biginto/videos/300032864245212/Seyi Oyinloye:https://www.facebook.com/seyistories/Teague Alexy​https://www.facebook.com/teague.alexy

On Wednesday, April 24, 2019, AICHO was visited by Billy Mills, 1964 Olympic gold medalist and co-founder of Running Strong for American Indian Youth, an organization dedicated to helping Indigenous people meet basic needs, as well as to gain autonomy on a communal level. Mills spoke about his turbulent and triumphant journey through life, his charity work, and his motivation, as well as sharing some insights into his vision for the future.

Billy’s mother died when he was just seven years old. Over the next four years, Billy’s father encouraged his son to try many things, building himself around a dream. “You have broken wings,” Billy’s father had told him. “Broken wings of an eagle.”

When Billy’s father died Billy was only twelve years old, and the trauma of the experience had a profound effect on him, pulling him deep into depression. He was also diagnosed as hypoglycemic, but this did not stop his career or hold him back, and at 26 found himself blazing down the track at the Olympic games. As the runner behind him turned for a moment, the eagle on his jersey flashed in his eyes. “I might never have been that close again; I had to do it then,” recounted Billy, and the wings of eagle overtook him, pushing him to the finish line and the Olympic gold medal. “There were two races,” he added. “The first was to heal a broken soul, and I healed a broken soul. The second I was lucky enough to win as well.”

In a deep and rousing speech, Billy recounted this story, his efforts for social change and worldwide acceptance post-Olympics, and his vision of a more tolerant and equitable world for all people. “ We need to listen to the women, to the young people of color in our community,” he exclaimed. “That’s what America needs today.” Billy’s work with Running Strong for American Indian Youth connected him with AICHO, and his visit concluded on Friday. He was a calming and charming personality and drew in those around him to tell his stories on a more personal level before his speech. To learn more about Running Strong and hear Billy’s full story visit http://indianyouth.org and click on the About Us section to see learn what you can do to help heal a broken soul.

On Monday, in celebration of Earth Day, AICHO hosted a series of events for the downtown Gallery Hop. In the Robert Powless Cultural Center, Daniell LaPorte helped the kids and guests at AICHO turn their favorite T-Shirts into reusable and eco-friendly bags. These bags were then shipped out to be used by local institutions such as Super One Foods and the Whole Foods Co-Op. Guests also had the opportunity to experiment with screen printing, decorating their bags or other clothing and fabric. They were also introduced to our newest exhibit,Through Our Eyes, a combination of two previous exhibits that we have hosted. Through Our Eyes is a series of photographs taken by Gimaaji youth, outlining the world from their perspective in startling clarity. Meanwhile, families were invited to participate in some art-making of their own. Working together, AICHO families created a beautiful sculpture of a bull (using only pom-poms!) which will be displayed in the building itself. Painting classes with Moira Villiard also produced a collectively painted banner. Overall, the Earth Day Gallery Hop was a huge success at AICHO.

Carla Hamilton's Keller Kunst exhibit closed on Friday, drawing many esteemed local artists and art enthusiasts from the Duluth area to the Robert Powless Cultural Center. Carla's pieces are ornate, working with a wide variety of mediums and topics, and each is a deeply personal window into the artist's fascinating journey. The exhibit ran from 5:30-7:30, with refreshments and a casual but communal atmosphere. Carla herself could be seen speaking individually with almost everyone in attendance, although she preferred not to make a speech on stage, staying at a more personal level of dialogue and interaction.

Like many great artists, Carla Hamilton's art comes from the heart, and she shared some insights into her inspiration, life experience, and creative process. Carla, born and raised in Duluth, later went on to spend twenty years working and living in Germany, and many of her works are influenced by German language and culture. In several of her collages (although Carla's work is detailed and multifaceted enough that the label of "collage" doesn't do them justice) the artist incorporates the work's titles, and several contain titles or messages in German. One in particular has a background made almost entirely of maps, all from Germany.

Upon returning to the U.S, Carla's work changed somewhat. One more recent piece was a gallery of disapproving masks, entitled Neighbors, in which the artist criticized the patronizing, passive-aggressive attitudes that mark Minnesotan subcultures. "It made people uncomfortable," mentioned Carla, adding that positive change tended to grow from that discomfort.

As the brief interview concluded, Carla considered her creative process and the influence this multicultural experience has had on her. Learning the art of balancing a creative lifestyle and learning from many sources has been her focus since before her time and Germany, and she believes now she's just about got it right. "I still don't know where I belong," said Carla with a smile. "At this point, I don't really care."